Reasonable accommodations enable you to participate in the academic assessment process on a fair basis, and according to your preferences. Find out how to arrange reasonable ccommodations that work for you.

Reasonable adjustments allow you to fully participate in learning, assessment, college facilities and services. When it comes to assessments, for example, a reasonable adjustment could be making a video presentation instead of presenting in person, or having extra time in an exam, or showing your work to the tutor in private, rather than in front of a group. Under the Irish Disability Act 2005, the Equal Status Acts 2000 (as amended) and the University Act 1997, reasonable adjustments are required where disabled students experience substantial disadvantage in comparison with non-disabled people.  Colleges have an anticipatory duty to provide reasonable adjustments for students. This means your college needs to plan ahead and address any barriers that may potentially affect your studies and well-being.

One of the helpful systems CCT College Dublin has put into place are video recordings of all lectures. These are saved and accessible through your Moodle account.

To be eligible for individual reasonable adjustments you need to have had an autism diagnosis and have told your college about your autism.

In CCT College Dublin, the EDI Officer then meets with you to discuss your needs and review any reasonable accommodations that may be put in place. These are reviewed by the EDI team for approval. The EDI team includes the Dean of Faculty, Dean of Academic Affairs and Head of Student Services.

It is important that you are actively involved in this process, and also in making decisions regarding reasonable adjustments that work for you. This is not about being singled out – it’s about getting the best, personalised support for you.

• Get support – Register with the EDI Office as soon as possible.
• Negotiate your reasonable adjustments, rather than taking them as they come – what works for you individually?
• Focus on learning outcomes rather than assessment procedures – what are alternative ways for you to evidence your knowledge and understanding?
• Ask academics to be creative, and potentially move away from tradition. Acknowledge that this can be uncomfortable for them.
• Remember that the EDI Office is always there to support you, but they won’t necessarily know the academic requirements.
• Reply promptly to all communications regarding your support and reasonable adjustments, to ensure support is put in place when it’s needed.

The Education Act is the main piece of legislation which is concerned with promoting equality in Ireland’s education system. The Act obliges all education institutions, including colleges and universities, to provide disabled students or students with learning difficulties with reasonable and appropriate resources, accommodations and supports to meet their educational needs.

The Equal Status Act (2000) provides for a way for Higher Education Institutions in Ireland (HEI’s) to support disabled students to access their education called ‘Reasonable Accommodations’.